Spicing Up Your Ham: The Best Seasonings and Rubs for Perfectly Flavored Pork

As someone who loves to cook, I’m always looking for ways to add more flavor to my dishes. And when it comes to ham, seasoning and rubs can really take it to the next level! A properly spiced ham is moist, tender and packed with flavor in every bite.

In this article, I’ll share my tips on the best spices, herbs, seasonings and rubs to use when cooking ham Whether baked, grilled or sliced for sandwiches, these flavor combos will make your ham irresistible!

The Importance of Seasoning Ham

Before jumping into the specific seasonings, let’s look at why it’s important to season ham in the first place. Pork has a milder flavor compared to beef or lamb. While this versatility makes it great for pairing with various flavors, pork can also end up bland without the right seasoning.

Herbs, spices and rubs infuse the ham with layers of flavor. They enhance the pork’s subtle sweet and salty notes. Seasoning also forms a tasty, caramelized crust on the outside. And it adds moisture through spices that retain water. Finally, it allows the natural flavor of the high-quality pork to shine.

Best Herbs and Spices for Ham

Herbs and spices are a quick way to add flavor Here are some of my favorites to use when seasoning ham

• Rosemary – This fragrant woodsy herb is perfect for pork. It really brings out the meaty flavor of ham. Use dried or fresh rosemary.

• Thyme – Often paired with rosemary, thyme adds a subtle lemon-pepper flavor. It works well in both rubs and baked ham glazes.

• Sage – For a robust herb flavor, reach for sage. It packs an aromatic punch. Rub sage leaves on the ham or add ground sage to seasonings.

• Garlic – This vegetable adds a pungent kick and depth of flavor. Use garlic powder or fresh cloves in ham rubs and glazes.

• Mustard – Add mustard seed or powder to coatings for a tangy flavor and crust. Yellow, spicy brown or Dijon mustard all work well.

• Cloves – Studding the ham with whole cloves gives it a sweet, spicy flavor. Their strong oiliness pairs perfectly with pork.

• Black Pepper – A ham seasoning staple, cracked black pepper provides a sharp, peppery bite. It contrasts beautifully with the ham’s saltiness.

• Ginger – For a warmth and subtle sweetness, add ground ginger to the mix. It’s delicious in honey baked ham glazes.

Best Spice Blends for Ham

Pre-mixed spice blends take the guesswork out of seasoning. Some great options include:

• Pumpkin pie spice – Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice give pork a sweet, spiced flavor. This blend is perfect in fall baked hams.

• Jerk seasoning – For Caribbean flair, coat the ham with this zesty, spicy blend before grilling. It contains peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic and more.

• Apple pie spice – Similar to pumpkin pie spice but with orange zest, this adds wonderful warmth and fruitiness. It’s fantastic with an apple glaze.

• Five spice powder – The blend of cinnamon, fennel, clove, star anise and Sichuan pepper gives ham an exotic, complex taste.

• Italian seasoning – Oregano, basil, rosemary, marjoram and thyme infuse pork with Mediterranean flavors.

• BBQ rub – Sweet paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic and onion make ham irresistible. Use as a rub before smoking or baking.

Best Dry Rubs for Ham

Dry rubs give the outside of ham fantastic caramelized flavor and texture. Here are two easy homemade rubs to try:

Brown Sugar and Spice Rub

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1⁄2 tsp mustard powder
• 1⁄4 tsp onion powder
• Black pepper

Mix the ingredients until well blended. Coat the ham evenly with the rub before baking. The brown sugar gives great crustiness while the spices add warmth and depth.

Savory Herb Rub

• 2 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper

Combine the herbs and spices thoroughly. Pat the mixture all over the ham to infuse it with aromatic flavor. The fresh herbs make this rub extra vibrant.

Best Wet Glazes for Baked Ham

For baked ham, wet glazes add sweetness and help form a delicious crust while retaining moisture. My favorite glaze recipes include:

Brown Sugar Glaze

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1⁄4 tsp cloves

Simmer the ingredients until blended. Brush over the ham when halfway and completely cooked. This classic glaze caramelizes beautifully.

Fruit Glaze

• 1 cup jam, jelly or marmalade
• 1⁄4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp mixed spice blend

Whisk together the ingredients. Pineapple, cherry, apricot or orange marmalade all work deliciously. The fruit and vinegar cut through the ham’s richness.

Maple Bourbon Glaze

• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup bourbon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch cayenne pepper

Combine the ingredients and boil until thickened. Brush over the ham for incredible depth and a slight boozy kick. The maple and bourbon are dynamite together!

Tips for Applying Rubs and Glazes

To get the most out of your ham seasonings, follow these tips:

• Coat evenly – Apply rubs and glazes over the entire surface for balanced flavor in every bite.

• Pat it on – For dry rubs, pat the seasoning into the ham rather than brushing. This helps it adhere and caramelize.

• Multiple coats – Build up glaze flavors by brushing on a few light coats instead of one thick layer.

• Glaze halfway – Brush ham with some glaze once halfway cooked to allow flavors to penetrate before the final glaze.

• Watch carefully – As glazes caramelize they can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them.

Fantastic Ham Spice Combos

Playing around with different spice combos is an easy way to put a signature twist on ham. Here are some of my favorite blends:

• Orange zest, cloves, ginger and brown sugar
• Rosemary, oregano, garlic powder and paprika
• Yellow mustard, chili powder and light brown sugar
• Apricot jam, curry powder, cayenne and black pepper
• Pineapple juice, cilantro, lime zest and chipotle powder
• Coffee, cumin, oregano and dark brown sugar

The possibilities are endless! I love getting creative and trying out new herb and spice mixtures to liven up ham.

Let the Seasonings Shine Through

The key with seasoning ham is allowing the flavors of the quality pork and spice blends to take center stage. Avoid overpowering sauces and instead use glazes and rubs that complement and enhance the meat.

For juicy, full-flavored ham every time, get creative with your own signature spice rubs and glazes. I hope these tips help you cook up the most mouthwatering seasoned ham ever!